Party Like An Animal!

Why are we partying like animals??? We are half way through the 12 x 12 Challenge hosted by the awesome Julie Hedlund. Our challenge is to write 12 picture book drafts in 12 months. To learn more about the challenge, click HERE. Congratulations everyone for making it half way…but don’t party half way…party full out!

You know, as we celebrate the halfway mark, we have to know that we aren’t the only ones excited about 12 x 12! Think of all the picture book characters! I found out they were celebrating, too. They realize with this number of stories being written that they will have many more adventures. So, I asked a few of them to join me on my blog as we celebrate. Several animals from Old MacDonald’s Farm jumped at the chance. Since they were so eager to help out, I decided to use their theme song as I say thank you to all of you who are a part of 12 x 12. You have all meant so much to me over the last 6 months. There is such support and inspiration that it just oozes all over the Internet. Of course, I especially want to thank our main character, Julie Hedlund. So without further adieu or moo (ha) here is my tribute!

Julie Hedlund Had a Plan

Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!
And for that plan we had to join
12 x 12 in 12!
With a join-join here
And a join-join there
Here a join, there a join
Everywhere a join-join
Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!

Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!
And in that plan are special guests
12 x 12 in 12!
With a guest-guest here
And a guest-guest there
Here a guest, there a guest
Everywhere a guest-guest
Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!

Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!
And in that plan are lots of posts
12 x 12 in 12!
With a post-post here
And a post-post there
Here a post, there a post
Everywhere a post-post
Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!

Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!
And in that plan are Facebook “likes”
12 x 12 in 12!
With a like-like here
And a like-like there
Here a like, there a like
Everywhere a like-like
Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!

Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!
And in that plan are gobs of blogs
12 x 12 in 12!
With a blog-blog here
And a blog-blog there
Here a blog, there a blog
Everywhere a blog-blog
Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!

Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!
And finally, there will be books
12 x 12 in 12!
With a book-book here
And a book-book there
Here a book, there a book
Everywhere a book-book
Julie Hedlund had a plan—
12 x 12 in 12!

As of tonight, June 27, 2012, I have five completed drafts. I plan to have another completed by the 30th of June to bring my total to six. One of the manuscripts is out on submission. That is amazing to me. Even more amazing is the overwhelming number of “writer” friends I have made during 12 x 12 in 12. I am very grateful for this challenge! Thanks, Julie!

Jarm! Thanks for the comment,and don’t worry about it taking a while…it took me a while to realize it had gone to spam! Eeeekkkk! I’ve had that happening more lately.
I appreciate your encouragement and kind words!

Penny, you got me grinnin’ down here on the farm! What a great way to celebrate. I can see the square-dancing goin’ on at this party now! E-I-E-I-O! ( E-ncouraged, I-nspired E-very I-nstance O-nline! ) Thanks for your presence in this experience.

Oooooh, I like your last stanza best, but the whole song made me laugh. By the way, I’ve had your Dr. Pepper rewrite stuck in my head for several months (I’m a writer; you’re a writer… wouldn’t you like to be a writer, too.) With all your clever and catchy poems, I’m thinking everywhere a Penny-Penny is in the near future.

Sorry, Julie….it went to spam & I hadn’t checked because until recently I haven’t had any 12 x 12ers go to spam…now recently you & Renee both went there…strange! Anyway, glad you like the song? It was fun creating the post! Thanks for all you do :•)

I don’t think so. Seems like I’ve read some posts in Facebook about others having manuscripts out on submission. It probably goes against all advice and I probably should’ve let it simmer more and then sent it out, but I did revised a lot before sending it and it went through my crit group, so we will see what happens 🙂

E-I-E-I-Oh what fun! I imagine you must have been ‘the one’ to sit next to on the schoolbus! Here a draft, there a draft, everywhere a laugh laugh! Bet that’s what your books will bring to editors and kids alike. Keep ’em comin’!

Adorable, of course! I always know I’ll have a good time when I come over to your place. Congrats on your 12×12 success – and one already on submission!! I am duly impressed, Penny. Keep those book-books coming! 🙂

I am laughing and crying – I’ve made it all the way to the blog-blog verse and I realized the next thing is the book-book and suddenly the tears started. 12×12 has meant so much to me and this new time in my life. I was always a loner kid (we moved 17x during my school life), I never felt like I was part of a group, always on the fringes. As a mom, and pastor’s wife I’ve always tried to put others’ needs first (you all know how it is) And now look at me – I’m pursuing a dream, able to attend awesome blog parties with delightful, witty, funny, compassionate, encouraging friends, and sit at the feet of wise professionals… all because of 12×12 Oh my! Bless you, Penny for your wonderful party. I will never sing Old McDonald again w/o remembering you.

HA-HA-HA! I smiled all the way through this song. You’re a Word Whiz, lady! This is so much fun to sing along and read aloud! Love your Old McDonald remix!
Cheers to Us!
Should all our first drafts be forgot and ne-ver brought to mind?
Should each discarded masterpiece be-ee stead of auld lang syne,
For auld lang syne, my dear. For auld lang syne,
We’ll drink a cup o’ kindness yet for auld lang syne!
Cheers, Everyone!